Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
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Peganum harmala L.
Nitrariaceae
- African Rue
- Harmala
- Syrian Rue
- Wild Rue
- harmal / hirmil حرمل
- harmalIyan حرمليان
- khiyeish خييش
- shabar lavan
- שַׁבָּר לָבָן
Hemicryptophyte
- Shrub-steppes
and other botanical details.
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Peganum harmala L.
System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular | Strengthen heart/ regulate cardiac function/ relieve chest pain |
Analgesic, Cardiac | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Dermatological | Skin swelling & redness |
Anti-inflammatory | Burn dried plant & steep ashes in grape vinegar overnight, stir & apply to swollen skin. |
Aerial parts | Z |
Endocrine/ Metabolic | Diabetes mellitus |
Hypoglycemic | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Abdominal gas |
Carminative | Grind seeds, mix + powders of Asparagus seeds + ginger root + Pimpinella fruits + honey & eat x1 teaspoon mornings. |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain |
Carminative | 1. Cook x2 small teaspoons of leaves in water & drink. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Constipation |
Laxative | Cook leaves & seeds in water & drink. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Dysentery |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal | Cook seeds in water + Ononis pubescens & drink. |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Increase appetite |
Stomachic | Use seeds 1 yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Jaundice |
Hepatic | 1. Grind seeds into powder, mix + oil, warm mixture & spread over face in evening. Next morning wash face with soap. |
Seed | Z |
General | Strengthen body |
Tonic | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Haematology | Clean blood |
Blood purifier | Use seeds 1yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Infectious Diseases | Tuberculosis |
Anti-tubercular | Drink Cinnamomum cassia cooked in water or make a burn with red hot wire over painful lung. Then grind Paganum seeds & eat x1 teaspoon + soft boiled egg. |
Seed | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Aid urination, |
Deobstruent, Diuretic | Use seeds 1yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified). |
Seed | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Kidney stones |
Anti-lithic | Grind roasted seeds & eat ? teaspoon x2/day until recovery. |
Seed | B |
Mental Health | Depression |
Anti-depressant | 1. Roast seeds & leaves in fire & inhale smoke. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Arthritis prevention |
Anti-arthritic | Grind seeds & eat ? tablespoon x 2/day. |
Seed | B |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Joint inflammation/ rheumatic pain (Z, B). Lumbago (lower back pain) (Z) |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | 1. Cook seeds (in some preparations 1 yr after harvesting) in water in sealed vessel; patient, wearing wide gown stands over steam as long as possible, then goes to bed away from cold. (Z) |
Aerial parts, Leaf, Seed | Z, B |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Joint pain/ rheumatism |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Mix 10 gm seeds + 250 gm black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds + 50 gm chrysanthemum & 10 gm of each of following; senna (Senna alexandrina) + cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) + rosmary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis)+ mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb ) + almonds (Prunis dulcus) + 800 gm honey. Eat 1 teaspoon x 2/day after breakfast & dinner for 10 days. (See CAUTIONS) |
Seed | B |
Nervous System | Headache |
Analgesic | 1. Roast seeds (in some preparations 1 year after harvesting) & leaves in fire & inhale smoke. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Opthalmic | Eye inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Use seeds 1 yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Opthalmic | Strengthen weak vision |
Visual health | Grate seeds, mix + olive oil & apply to eyes. |
Seed | Z |
Respiratory | Asthma; as expectorant & for cough |
Anti-tussive, Expectorant | 1. Use seeds 1 year after harvesting, mix + honey or honey + saffron & eat. |
Seed | Z |
Ritual /Ceremonial | Against the evil eye |
Ritual | 1. Roast seeds in fire & listen to the sound of seeds exploding. |
Seed | Z |
Women`s Health | Ovarian atrophy & to strengthen ovaries |
Alterative | Mix equal amounts of leaves + lady`s mantle (Alchemilla xanthochlora) leaves + flaxseed (Linum maritimum); sieve mixture & prepare infusion by adding 1 teaspoon mixture to 1 cup hot water + 1 teaspoon honey; steep 10 min & drink x1 cup at night before menstruation & 12 days after menstruation. |
Leaf | B |
Wound Healing | Extract pus from skin lesion/wound |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | Grind leaf & seed + onion, mix + honey & spread over lesion. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Wound Healing | Treat various lesions/wounds |
Vulnerary | Grind seeds (1 year after harvesting). (Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER - https://florapal.org/disclaimer/
Notes
2. In recipe (5) for rheumatism Peganum harmala is used with Mahaleb Cherry (Prunus mahaleb); the Prunus genus has species which many contain hydrogen cyanide in their seeds & leaves & which can cause respiratory depression & death (see also CAUTIONS for Prunus amygdalus)